Peg loader and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for holding and facilitating the unloading therefrom of packaged merchandise onto a display peg. More particularly, the device includes a substantially rigid member for holding a group of packages together. The member has opposing ends and is sized and shaped so as to pass through hanging holes provided in the packages. The member also has a generally uniform cross-section along its entire axial length and includes an opening extending through the member between the opposing ends. The opening is provided with a size which is substantially greater than a cross-sectional area of the display peg so as to facilitate the insertion of the display peg into the opening through one of the opposing ends for permitting the packages to be placed onto the display peg with the aid of the member. The present invention also relates to a method for loading the packages onto the display peg using the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,506, filed Jul. 30, 2004, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/492,128, filed Aug. 1, 2003, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for displaying packaged merchandise and, more particularly, to devices for loading packaged merchandise onto pegboard displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pegboard displays have been popular in the retail industry for displaying lightweight merchandise. Typically, merchandise packages are loaded individually onto pegboard displays. As a result, the conventional loading method is inefficient and time-consuming. Given the narrow profit margin on which most retail outlets operate, cost saving in this activity is desirable.

A recent solution to the problem mentioned above has been the “power panel”. The “power panel” is a ready made package of a number of loaded pegs in a box, which is simply hung up on a shelf wall. This displaying method has disadvantages in that it is expensive and does not provide means of recharge if there is a substantial difference in the sale of different items in the panel.

Various devices have also been developed for facilitating the loading of merchandise onto a display peg. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,772 discloses a device having a plug which connects by a cord through a rear hole of a cup-shaped coupler. The plug and coupler can be joined together to form a loop that holds merchandise. The coupler can be separated from the plug and connected to the end of a display peg, so that the merchandise can slide onto the peg. Because the device needs to be uncoupled prior to the loading of the merchandise onto a display peg, the merchandise loading process is made rather complicated and/or inefficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new and improved device for holding and facilitating the unloading therefrom of packaged merchandise onto a display peg. More particularly, the device includes a substantially rigid member for holding a group of packages together. The member has opposing ends and is sized and shaped so as to pass through hanging holes provided in the packages. The member also has a generally uniform cross-section substantially along its entire axial length and includes an opening extending through the member between the opposing ends. The opening is provided with a size which is substantially greater than a cross-sectional area of the display peg so as to facilitate the insertion of the display peg into the opening through one of the opposing ends for permitting the packages to be placed onto the display peg with the aid of the member.

The present invention also relates to a method for loading packaged merchandise onto a display peg using a loading device having a substantially rigid member. More particularly, the member includes opposing ends, as well as generally uniform cross-section substantially along its entire length. The member has an opening extending through the member between the opposing ends. The opening of the member has a size which is substantially greater than a cross-sectional area of the display peg so as to facilitate the insertion of the display peg into the opening. The method includes the steps of passing the member through hanging holes provided in packages and inserting the display peg into the opening of the member through one of the opposing ends such that the display peg passes through the hanging holes of the packages. The member is then removed from the hanging holes of the packages such that the packages are loaded onto the display peg.

When constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the loading device includes at least one, but preferably two, sets of flares. Each flare set is formed at one of the two opposing ends of the substantially rigid member, such that the flare(s) of the first flare set extend from the member at one of the opposing ends thereof and the flare(s) of the second flare set extend from the member at another one of the opposing ends. The flares of the first flare set and the second flare set are foldable with respect to the substantially rigid member and are preferably formed monolithically therewith. The loading device may be positioned within a box for transport. The box has, for example, a bottom and a top and the member is positioned to extend between the bottom and the top. The flares are positioned at a normal angle with respect to the planar panels, such that the flares may be positioned flush against two opposing ends of the box.

The present invention also relates to a method for loading packaged merchandise onto a display peg using a loading device that includes a substantially rigid member and at least one, but preferably two, flare sets. More particularly, the member includes opposing ends, as well as generally uniform cross-section substantially along its entire length. The member has an opening extending through the member between the opposing ends. The opening of the member has a size which is substantially greater than a cross-sectional area of the display peg so as to facilitate the insertion of the display peg into the opening. The member is formed from planar Each flare set is formed at one of two opposing ends of the substantially rigid member, such that the flare(s) of the first flare set extend from the member at one of the opposing ends thereof, and the flare(s) of the second flare set extend from the member at another one of the opposing ends thereof. The flares of the first flare set and the second flare set are foldable with respect to the substantially rigid member. The method includes the steps of passing the member through hanging holes provided in packages, inserting the display peg into the opening of the member through one of the opposing ends such that the display peg partially passes through the hanging holes of the packages, folding the flares of a flare set toward one another, and pushing the packages from the member over said flare set onto the display peg. The member is then removed from the hanging holes of the packages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the present invention considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a peg hook loader according to the present invention which has been installed with packaged merchandise;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 1 prior to mounting the peg hook loader onto a common peg hook;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 1 which has been mounted on a peg hook with the packaged merchandise;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 1 which has been removed from the product, leaving the packaged merchandise mounted on the peg hook;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second peg hook loader according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a third peg hook loader according to the present invention that has a substantially rigid member and a pair of flare sets;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the rigid member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 8 prior to mounting the peg hook loader onto a peg hook having an extended peg hook tip;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 8, which has been mounted on the extended peg hook tip with the packaged merchandise;

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 8 positioned within a box;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a flexible tab; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the peg hook loader of FIG. 1 in combination with the flexible tab of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a peg hook loader 2 according to the present invention that has been installed within a bundle 4 of products or packages 6 (i.e. packaged merchandise). Each product 6 is provided with a cardboard header tag 8 having a triangular opening (i.e., hanging hole) 10 therein. Other products 6 may be provided with hooks (not shown) to hang the products 6. The products 6 are secured for transport within the bundle 4 by a paper tape 12 that is wrapped around the bundle 4.

FIGS. 2 and 3 provide views of the peg hook loader 2 in more detail. The peg hook loader 2 has a hollow member 14 with opposing open ends 16 and 18 and an open interior (i.e., an opening) 20. Preferably, the hollow member 14 is sufficiently structured to support a product or bundle of products as the products are being placed on a peg with the peg hook loader 2. The hollow member 14 is formed from a sheet of thin corrugated material that has been scored and folded so as to have a substantially uniform triangular cross-section (see FIG. 3). A reinforcing strip 22 closes the hollow member 14 along one edge, providing the hollow member 14 with a closed cross-section, and provides additional structural strength to the hollow member 14. The size of the hollow member 14 depends on design of the product 6 or product bundle 4 with which it is to be used. The outside dimensions of the cross-section are selected so that the hollow member 14 may be inserted through an opening or hook of the product which may then hang from the peg hook loader 2 (see FIG. 1). The inside dimensions of the open ends 16 and 18 and the open interior 20 are selected so that the hollow member 14 may fit over a typical peg hook. The hollow member 14 has a length L which, preferably, is sufficient to pass through the openings or hooks of two or more products 6. For instance, the open interior 20 of the hollow member 14 can have a size much greater than the cross-sectional area of a display peg hook so as to facilitate the insertion of same into the open interior 20. Moreover, the hollow member 14 can be constructed such that its cross-section corresponds substantially, in shape and size, to the opening 10 of the package 6.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hollow member 14 includes a plurality of substantially planar panels 19 a-19 c and a pair of fold lines 21 a, 21 b which extend along in a generally axial direction. More particularly, the fold line 21 a is formed between the panels 19 a, 19 b, while the fold line 21 b is formed between the panels 19 b, 19 c. The panels 19 a, 19 c include edges 23 a, 23 b, respectively, which are juxtaposed with one another such that the cross-section of the hollow member 14 is substantially triangular.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a preferred method of using the peg hook loader 2 to transfer the bundle 4 of products 6 to a peg hook 24. Referring now to FIG. 4, the peg hook loader 2 is again shown installed within the bundle 4. The peg hook 24 is a common peg hook typical of retail display devices. The peg hook loader 2, with the associated bundle 4 is then placed over the peg hook tip 26 and slid along the body 28 of the peg hook 24. FIG. 5 shows the peg hooker loader 2 mounted on the peg hook 24 with the open interior 20 of the peg hook loader 2 surrounding the body 28 of the peg hook 24. The peg hook loader 2 is then slid out of the openings 10 of the bundle 4, leaving the bundle 4 of products 6 on the peg hook 24. The products 6 can then be separated from each other by removing the paper tape 12. As shown, the method of FIGS. 4-6 provides a very simple way of transferring a product onto a retail display in numbers of 2-12 or greater, depending on the length L of the peg hook loader 2.

It should be appreciated that the present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art discussed above. For instance, because the bundle 4 of products 6 is gathered together as a single assembly (i.e., triangular opening 10 of the products 6 are aligned and ganged together via paper tape 12) and then shipped to a retail outlet, loading of the bundle 4 onto the peg hook 24 can be achieved in a simple and efficient manner. That is, the peg hook tip 26 of the peg hook 24 is aligned with the triangular opening 10 of the products 6 and is then inserted therethrough in a substantially single motion or step. Moreover, because only the peg hook loader 2 is used for quick and easy loading of the products 6, the present invention provides a cost-effective loading method.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For example, the hollow member 14 may be of a flexible or semi-rigid construction, rather than being rigid. The hollow member 14 may be fabricated from a wide range of materials that will be known to persons having ordinary skill in the art, such at plastics, paperboard, thin metal sheet, and so forth. It also is not necessary for the hollow member 14 to have a triangular cross-section as shown in FIG. 2, but may have a cross-section having another shape, such as a circle or trapezoid, depending on the shape of the openings 10 of the bundled product 4. The reinforcing strip 22 may be omitted or additional reinforcing strips may be provided as needed to provide structural support to the peg hook loader 2. Moreover, the cross-section of the hollow member 14 does not need to have a closed shape, but may have an open shape such as a half circle, an arc or an inverted “V”, depending on the shape of the openings 10 and the amount of support needed to support and stabilize the individual products 6 within the bundle 4. The products 6 may be secured within the bundle 4 by any of a number of known devices, such as plastic end caps or plastic tape with a light tack adhesive. Further, the peg hook loader 2 can be used in connection with many different types of packages or items, such as polybags, paper or cardboard headers or boxes.

FIG. 7 presents a second embodiment of the peg hook loader 2 wherein the hollow member 14 has been flared at open end 16. A flare such as flare 30 serves to prevent the peg hook loader 2 from becoming disengaged from the bundle 4 during shipping. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the flare 30 was formed by folding the thin corrugated material of the hollow member 14 back upon itself such that it is monolithic with the hollow member 14. The flare 30 can be easily straightened by applying a slight pressure to it, allowing the peg hook loader 2 to be removed from the bundle 4. That is, the flare 30 can be movably affixed to one of the ends 16, 18 of the hollow member 14. In other embodiments, both open ends 16 and 18 may be flared. The hollow member 14 may be fabricated, and its ends 16 and 18 may be flared, by any of a number of methods currently known in the art.

FIGS. 8-12 present a peg hook loader 102 constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 8-12 which correspond substantially to the elements described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7 have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred. The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 8-12 is constructed in manners consistent with the foregoing description of the peg hook loader 2 shown in FIGS. 1-7, unless it is stated otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the peg hook loader 102 includes a hollow member 114 having four substantially planar panels 119 a-d delineated by three folds 121 a-c. The hollow member 114 is formed from a sheet of thin corrugated material having a substantially rectangular shape that has been scored and folded. The thin corrugated material is folded to form the hollow member 114, such that the first panel 119 a and the fourth panel 119 d overlap to form a first side of the triangular hollow member 114, a second panel 119 b forms a second side of the triangular hollow member 114, and a third panel 119 c of the rectangular member forms a third side of the triangular hollow member 114. The hollow member 114 has opposing open ends 116 and 118 and an open interior 120.

The hollow member 114 is flared at each of the open ends 116 and 118. The peg hook loader 102 has a first flare set 132 formed at the open end 116 and a second flare set 134 formed at the open end 118. The first flare set 132 includes four flares 136 a-d corresponding to panels 119 a-d, respectively, such that flare 136 a overlaps the flare 136 d and is secured thereto with an adhesive. The second flare set 134 includes four flares 138 a-d corresponding to panels 119 a-d, respectively, such that the flare 138 a is overlaps the flare 138 d and is secured thereto with an adhesive. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first flare set 134 and the second flare set 136 are formed by folding the thin corrugated material of the hollow member 114 back upon itself such that the first flare set 132 and the second flare set 134 are monolithically formed with the hollow member 114. Although it is preferred that the flares 136 a-d and 138 a-d are monolithically formed with the panels 119 a-d, such is not required, and any one or more of the flares 136 a-d and 138 a-d may be formed separately with respect to the panels 119 a-d. The hollow member 114, the first flare set 132, and/or the second flare set 134 may be fabricated by any suitable method known in the art.

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a preferred method of using the peg hook loader 102 to transfer the bundle 104 of products 106 to a peg hook 124. The peg hook 124 is a common peg hook typical of retail display devices and includes a peg hook tip 126 and peg hook body 128. The peg hook tip 126 of FIGS. 10-11 is longer than the peg hook tip 26 of FIGS. 4-6, and the angle formed between the peg hook tip 126 and peg hook body 128 may be less than the angle formed between the peg hook tip 26 and the peg hook body 28 of FIGS. 4-6, so as to prevent full insertion of the peg hook body 128 through the peg hook loader 102.

The peg hook loader 102 has been installed within a bundle 104 of products or packages 106. Each product 106 is provided with a cardboard header tag 108 having a triangular opening (not designated). The products 106 are secured for transport within the bundle 104 by a paper tape 112 that is wrapped around the bundle 104.

The peg hook loader 102, with the associated bundle 104 is placed over the peg hook tip 126. Due to the added length of the peg hook tip 126 and/or the reduced angle formed between the peg hook tip 126 and the peg hook body 128, the peg hook loader 102 slides about the peg hook tip 126 until one or more of the panels 119 a-d abut against the peg hook body 128. The peg hook body 128 folds back one or more of the flares of the first flare set 132 (or the second flare set 134), so as to prevent the bundle 104 from sliding off of the member 114. However, each one of the flares 136 a-d and 138 a-d are flexible, so as to be easily straightened by applying slight pressure thereto, which allows the bundle 104 to be slid off of the member 114. The products 106 can then be separated from each other by removing the paper tape 112.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first flare set 132 and the second flare set 134 may also serve to prevent the peg hook loader 102 from becoming disengaged from the bundle 104 during shipping. The peg hook loader 102 may be positioned inside a box 140 having a top 142 (e.g., a lid), a bottom 144, two sidewalls 146 and 148, and another two sidewalls (not shown). The peg hook loader 102 may be vertically positioned inside the box 140, such that the first flare set 132 is folded to be flush with the bottom 144 and the second flare set 134 is folded to be flush with the top 142. The peg hook loader 102 and/or the box 140 are sized and shaped such that the box 140 may form a friction fit with the peg hook loader 102 at ends thereof.

FIGS. 13-14 illustrate a bundle 204 constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Elements of the bundle 204 illustrated in FIGS. 13-14 which correspond substantially to the elements described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7 have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by two hundred. The embodiment of the bundle 204 shown in FIGS. 13-14 is constructed in manners consistent with the foregoing descriptions of the bundle 4 and the bundle 104 unless it is stated otherwise.

A bundle 204 is shown with a plurality of products 206. The products 206 are secured for transport within the bundle 204 by a paper tape 212 that is wrapped around the bundle 204. Each product 206 is provided with a cardboard header tag 208. A flexible tab 250 is attached to the cardboard header tag 208. The flexible tab 250 may be formed separately from the cardboard header tag 208, but is preferably formed monolithically therewith. The flexible tab 250 has a triangular opening 252 for passage of the peg hook loader 2 therethrough. The flexible tab 250 also has a channel 254 that extends from the opening 252 to a surface of the flexible tab 250.

A peg hook loader, such as the peg hook loader 102, may be used to position the bundle 204 on a peg hook, such as the peg hook 124. A consumer, for example, may then remove the product 206 from the peg hook 124 by sliding product from the peg hook tip 126. Additionally or alternatively, the user may bend the flexible tab 250 such that the size of the channel 254 increases, thereby allowing the peg hook body 128 to pass through the channel 254, allowing removal of the product. For example, when the peg hook 124 has many products displayed thereon, a consumer can remove product displayed toward the back of the peg hook 124 without having to first remove product displayed toward the front of the peg hook 124.

Although the invention disclosed herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A device for holding and facilitating the unloading therefrom of packaged merchandise onto a display peg, comprising a substantially rigid member for holding a group of packages together, said member having opposing ends and being sized and shaped so as to pass through hanging holes provided in the packages, said member having a generally uniform cross-section substantially along its entire axial length, said member having an opening extending through said member between said opposing ends, said opening having a size which is substantially greater than a cross-sectional area of the display peg so as to facilitate the insertion of the display peg into said opening through one of said opposing ends for permitting the packages to be placed onto the display peg with the aid of said member; and retaining means projecting outwardly from at least one of said opposing ends of said member.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said member includes a plurality of substantially planar panels extending in a generally axial direction.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one of said substantially planar panels overlaps another one of said substantially planar panels to be substantially aligned therewith.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said member is formed from a sheet of material folded into a predetermined shape.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means is monolithically formed with said member.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means includes at least one flare.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said at least one flare includes a plurality of flares.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein each one of said plurality of flares are movably affixed to said one of said opposing ends of said member.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein said plurality of flares are monolithically formed with said member.
 10. The device of claim 7, wherein said member includes a plurality of folds extending in an axial direction.
 11. The device of claim 1 in combination with a box having a bottom and a top.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein each one of said opposing ends forms a friction fit with one of said bottom and said top.
 13. The device of claim 1 in combination with a flexible tabs having the hanging hole formed therethrough.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein each one of said flexible tabs have a channel formed therein that extends from a surface of one of said flexible tabs corresponding therewith to one of the hanging holes corresponding therewith.
 15. A method for loading packaged merchandise onto a display peg using a loading device having a substantially rigid member with opposing ends and retaining means projecting outwardly from at least one of the opposing ends, the member having a generally uniform cross-section substantially along its entire axial length, the member having an opening extending through the member between the opposing ends, the opening of the member having a size which is substantially greater than a cross-sectional area of the display peg so as to facilitate the insertion of the display peg into the opening, the method comprising the steps of passing the member through the hanging holes of the packages; inserting the display peg into the opening of the member through one of the opposing ends such that the display peg passes partially though the member; engaging the retaining means to allow the packages to be removed from the member; and pushing the packages off of the member onto the display peg. 